The Port of Portland has created a railway connection for container freight at the port’s Terminal 6.

According to the port, shippers now have the option to move their cargo on a rail shuttle to the Puget Sound ports of Seattle and Tacoma, where the containers can be loaded onto vessels. The new service is operated five days a week in partnership with BNSF Railway.

In November 2017, the port announced that Swire Shipping would begin a monthly container call at Terminal 6 this month, offering regional shippers a new opportunity to move their goods overseas.

“The rail service will complement the monthly container ship call by giving our local shippers another path to market,” said Curtis Robinhold, executive director of the Port of Portland. “We hope to continue building on this momentum and interest at Terminal 6.”

The port has also hired a consultant team to help determine the future role of container shipping in Portland with a sustainable business model for managing and developing the terminal.

Additionally, a committee consisting of 22 industry leaders including exporters, importers, service providers, carriers, ports, labour and legislators has been engaged by the port. The port, consultant team and committee will report their findings to the Port Commission later this month.

The Port of Portland suspended its container business at Terminal 6 in 2016 due to a labour dispute between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and ICTSI, which operated the terminal.